Minister notes report about Waterkloof claim

"We have noted the reports," spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said in an sms to Sapa.

 

"We will deal with same as and when [the] minister gets officially notified of such action."

 

The Pretoria News reported on Friday that a summons was issued this week regarding Becker's alleged unlawful arrest and detention.

 

"I am not sure whether the sheriff has yet served the summons on the minister and the department," lawyer Carel Taute reportedly told the newspaper.

 

He said the four defendants, including the chairman of the parole board, had 20 days in which to indicate whether they would defend the action.

 

Becker, Frikkie Du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk, and Reinach Tiedt were released on parole last February after being jailed for beating a homeless man to death in Pretoria in 2001.

 

However, Becker and Du Preez were rearrested on February 16 after cellphone footage emerged of them allegedly drinking alcohol and using a cellphone at the Kgosi Mampuru prison. It was posted on YouTube.

 

In June, the High Court in Pretoria dismissed an urgent application by Becker to reinstate his parole.